Free State seniors Joel Spain (4) and Cooper Karlin celebrate the Firebirds' victory over Lawrence High Wednesday at Hoglund Ballpark.

It wasn’t pretty, but Free State High baseball players weren’t going to let that take away from any of their excitement on Wednesday night. In the City Showdown, the motto is win by any means necessary.

The Firebirds were held to just two hits but took advantage of a few Lawrence High errors for a 4-3 walk-off victory at Kansas University’s Hoglund Ballpark. It was the first time Free State won the annual City Showdown at KU since 2011.

With the score tied 3-all in the bottom of the seventh inning, FSHS senior Joel Spain laced a single into center, then stole second on the next pitch. When senior Jon Saathoff drew a walk on a pitch in the dirt, Spain took off for third before scoring when LHS catcher Ivan Hollins’ throw went into left field.

Spain was mobbed by his teammates after scoring the game-winning run.

“He can run, but he also has good instincts,” FSHS coach Mike Hill said of Spain. “He has good baseball knowledge. But more than any of that, he’s just such a competitive kid, and you really put your trust in people who compete. That’s why I have a lot of faith in him.”

Spain, who will play at Cowley County next year, had both of Free State’s hits. He tied the game in the fourth inning with a two-out RBI infield single to shortstop, scoring senior Marcileno Cortez.

LHS junior left-hander Daonte Lowery gave up no hits in 3 2?3 innings, but he walked six and hit one batter. He was relieved by junior Brad Kincaid, who was throwing his fastball in the mid-80s.

“They did a great job of keeping us off balance,” said Spain, who also had two diving catches in center field. “Daonte, he hides the ball really well from the left side. He’s able to hit his spots. Then Brad, he can control his curveball in any count.”

The Lions (7-13) took a two-run lead in the first inning with two-out RBI singles from seniors Steven Garcia and Nyle Anderson. However, Free State junior lefty Trevor Munsch escaped a bases-loaded jam by getting a strikeout to end the frame.

Free State (16-4, ranked No. 2 in Class 6A) tied it with runs in the first and third innings without hits. In the first, sophomore Zion Bowlin reached on an error and scored on an error. Spain drew a leadoff walk in the third inning, stole two bases and scored on a groundout.

“In the end, our inability to take care of the baseball is what cost us throughout the game,” LHS coach Brad Stoll said after his team committed four errors. “It wasn’t the last play of the game.”

The Lions added a run in the fourth inning for a brief lead when senior Zak McAlister reached on an error and scored on a double into the left-center gap from senior Nate Hulse.

Munsch, who picked up a scholarship offer from the University of Arkansas on Saturday, allowed three runs (two earned) on seven hits while striking out four.

The Firebirds then brought in senior closer Casey Hearnen, who was lights-out with a strong curveball. He surrendered just one hit in 3 2?3 innings while striking out five.

“We swung the bats well,” Stoll said. “I thought our approach was great early. That kid is tough, man. Both of those kids are great arms. I’m really glad Hearnen is a senior. I’m tired of seeing him.

“Some really good at-bats, some hard contact. We chart hard contacts, and we had a lot of them tonight. Just couldn’t get a big hit when we needed it.”

The Firebirds also failed to get a big hit, leaving the bases loaded twice. They weren’t thrilled with the way they played, but were happy they found a way to earn a victory.

“When you win, you have to find different ways to do it,” Hill said. “We’ve been doing it on pitching, defense and grittiness the last couple of weeks. If that’s the recipe that we have to have, if that’s the definition of who we are, then I’ll take it.”

Lawrence 200 100 0 — 3 8 4

Free State 101 100 1 — 4 2 3

W — Casey Hearnen, 4-2. L — Brad Kincaid.

2B — Nate Hulse, LHS.

FSHS highlights — Hearnen, 32?3 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 5 K; Joel Spain, 2-for-3, walk, three stolen bases, run, RBI; Marcileno Cortez, 0-for-1, 2 walks, run.

LHS highlights — Kincaid, 21?3 IP, 2 H, 0 ER, 1 BB, 3 K; Steven Garcia, 1-for-2, run, RBI; Nyle Anderson, 1-for-3, RBI; Luke Padia, 2-for-2; Nate Hulse, 1-for-3, RBI.